Quack

[threateningflour]

Who: Coulson and anyone
What: Duck
Where: Highcrest
When: 3/16
Warnings: ridiculous ahead

[Along a dirt road in Highcrest this fine morning, one agent is continuing his daily stroll around Mallow Hallow. There is one difference today, a brood of ducklings are waddling after him.

As he crosses the road, the ducklings honk and try to rush across to follow him, prompting a frown on Coulson's face, so he turns back around, ushering them back to the side of the road and crouches down before them sternly]

Look both ways before crossing.

[No, he hasn't grown a soft spot for them. Why do you ask?]

Comments

[threateningflour]

[looks up]

Possibly. It's the first time for me.

[the ducklings crowd behind him, away from the stranger]

[blueeyedflyboy]

It is quite interesting.

_{[He watches the ducks for a moment, then kneels on the sidewalk nearby, placing a gloved hand on the ground. He then turns his attention back to the man, allowing the ducks to do their own thing.]}

As I said, I've seen it before. Once. They were following a young man in Astralfield. It's...

_{[He trails off, realizing that he's about to repeat himself.]}

They must like you.

[threateningflour]

They imprinted on the wrong person.

[one of the ducklings waddle over to the gloved hand, suspicious]

[blueeyedflyboy]

_{[Balfour wisely pays the duckling no mind and continues to watch Coulson instead. He can see the little bird from his angle just fine, but any movements would likely startle it.]}

Even still, you seem to take very good care of them. Some would have just let them waddle out into traffic and not cared.

_{[Yeep. He'd seen that.]}

[threateningflour]

[it's a good idea because the duckling is inching ever closer, peering around the glove and back again]

Everyone deserves a chance.

[though he's certainly not sure if the ducklings understood him]

[blueeyedflyboy]

I agree. It's good to know that at least someone will take care of stray ducklings.

_{[He laughs softly, glancing down at the duckling peering around his glove. This position is becoming uncomfortable, but he doesn't dare move.]}

I'd shake your hand, but I don't want to scare them. My name is Balfour.

[threateningflour]

[the duckling hops up on his glove now]

They seem to like you.

I'm Phil Coulson.

[blueeyedflyboy]

I'm glad.

_{[He turns his full attention to the duckling now, still not moving but obviously watching it, testing to see if it would run away should he so much as twitch.]}

[threateningflour]

[Its current reaction is to flap its tiny wings and peep at Balfour]

I'd probably need help taking care of them if I can't find their mother.

[blueeyedflyboy]

_{[Balfour moves a few fingers, one at a time, flexes his hand a little, testing.]}

I wouldn't mind helping out if you need help.

[threateningflour]

[more peeping... and then it pecks at the tip of his fingers]

I'd appreciate it.

This one is taking a liking to you.

[blueeyedflyboy]

_{[Balfour laughs in surprise when the duckling pecks at his fingers, wiggling them at the tiny bird again.]}

I like the little one, too. Do they have names?